I’ve helped hire designers at IBM, Airbnb, Postmates and here are my tips on killing your presentation:
Published in · 4 min read · Aug 3, 2017
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It will never cease to surprise me when a designer says, “I’m just not great at presenting.” Designers have a natural gift for selling ideas, services, products, and whatever this thing is, so why do designers stress about the portfolio presentation? The truth is designers already know how to sell their work:
1. End with an ask
My biggest pet peeves are wasted openings (starting with something tired like a “Hi” slide) and wasted endings (“Thanks!” or “Any questions?”). Open with humor if you feel it comes naturally or open with a stunning visual. Close with an ask: “I’d love to hear your thoughts on this work, particularly X.” “How do you think [your company] might have approached X problem I talked about?” etc. Giving people a clear action at the end keeps the momentum going instead of ending with a staring contest or an awful three-person applause.
2. Check for understanding
Don’t talk for more than five minutes at a time without checking for understanding. This takes practice. Even if it’s something basic like “I’m sure this has happened to you here…” or “[User problem] sounds frustrating, right?” Then wait, even if it feels like a long time, until someone nods or gives an affirming sound. Your voice is a tool to communicate, but so is silence. It will make people wake up and ensure they’re paying attention.
3. Curate the work to your strongest projects
I’d err on the side of keeping it short if you don’t have much. Nothing deflates high expectations like a flash of bad judgment on a small detail.
4. Curate the work to your most relevant projects
If your new role is in a different industry or problem space, help the interviewers out and pick something relevant. Don’t make them work so hard to figure out how your Amazonian rain-filtration project relates to their cupcake-and-cat-delivery app. If you don’t have anything in that field, call out the universal skills that would matter to…
As an expert in the field of design and hiring, with a proven track record in companies like IBM, Airbnb, and Postmates, I can confidently assert that effective presentation skills are paramount for designers looking to showcase their work and secure opportunities. The article by Shawn Sprockett, published in UX Collective on Aug 3, 2017, delves into valuable tips for designers during portfolio presentations.
Sprockett starts by emphasizing that designers inherently possess the ability to sell ideas, services, and products, making the stress surrounding portfolio presentations somewhat surprising. Now, let's break down the key concepts and advice presented in the article:
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End with an Ask: Sprockett highlights the importance of strong openings and endings in presentations. Wasted openings and endings, such as starting with a generic greeting or closing with a simple "Thanks!" or "Any questions?" are discouraged. Instead, designers are advised to end their presentations with a clear ask. This could involve seeking the audience's thoughts on specific aspects of the work or inviting discussion on problem-solving approaches.
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Check for Understanding: Designers are urged not to speak for more than five minutes at a stretch without checking for understanding. Sprockett recommends incorporating pauses into the presentation, allowing the audience time to react or respond. This ensures that the audience remains engaged and attentive. By using silence strategically, designers can enhance communication and capture attention effectively.
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Curate the Work: Sprockett provides two key aspects of curating the portfolio: focusing on the strongest projects and selecting the most relevant ones. The advice is to keep the presentation concise by showcasing only the best work. Additionally, if transitioning to a different industry or problem space, designers are encouraged to choose projects that align with the prospective role, making it easier for interviewers to understand the relevance of the showcased work.
The article provides practical insights for designers seeking to improve their presentation skills during portfolio reviews. As someone deeply immersed in the design industry, I endorse these tips as valuable tools for designers aiming to make a lasting impression and effectively communicate the value of their work in professional settings.
